How to keep your 2017 New Year’s resolutions

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the majority of New Year’s resolutions are related to health and fitness, whether that be eating cleaner, working out more, weight loss, spending less or reducing alcohol consumption. Many people try and make to many changes at once, which can often lead to us becoming overwhelmed and breaking our resolutions, so below we’ve listed a few tips on how to keep your 2017 New Year’s resolutions.

Studies show over 70% of New Year’s resolutions are broken before the end of January. Experts recommend setting your goals and taking small steps to make big lifestyle changes. For example, rather than just setting a goal to completely quit smoking, studies show it may be more beneficial to seek help from a professional in order to cut down first, then slowly eradicate the habit for good.

Keep your 2017 New Year’s resolutions

Make specific goals

If your goal requires a huge lifestyle change, break it down into smaller bite size pieces. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, set goals to be able to run x amount of miles per month and to adjust your diet accordingly in order to achieve your goal step-by-step to avoid becoming overwhelmed

Write your New Year’s resolutions down

Put your resolutions somewhere you see it every day to help you stay focused. Visually being able to tick off step-by-step or larger goals will help motivate you and assure yourself you’re on the right track to your success

Set rewards

For each milestone achieved, set a personal reward. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, each 7 pounds lost reward yourself with a new outfit rather than food to keep your focus on the intended goal

Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Big lifestyle changes don’t just happen overnight. Consider who you could ask for help should you struggle or come across obstacles along the way. For example, a personal trainer can help with health and fitness changes and will really help push you and achieve your body goals. A doctor can support you with giving up smoking or extreme weight loss, or you could even ask your friends to support your goal by asking them to sponsor you in order to keep you focused and motivated.

Best of luck chaps, and may you all keep your 2017 New Year’s resolutions!